Netherlands and Denmark commit to F-16 jets
On Friday, the United States approved the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as the manufacturing country. Now, Denmark and the Netherlands have officially committed to supplying the aircraft. The Danish government plans to provide 19 jets.
Denmark and the Netherlands will deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The heads of government of both countries announced this during meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Denmark will contribute 19 aircraft, with the first six expected to be delivered around the turn of the year, stated Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a press conference with Zelensky at the Danish Air Force base in Skrydstrup. The plan is to deliver eight more next year and five additional ones the following year.
Zelensky responded gratefully to Frederiksen’s commitment, stating that 19 F-16 aircraft would be a very effective support. Regarding the number of Ukrainian pilots to be trained on the F-16 in Denmark and later in Romania, Zelensky declined to provide details due to security concerns. Frederiksen explained that “more than 70” Ukrainian military personnel were already in Denmark, preparing for their training.
In a statement from the Danish Ministry of Defense, it was mentioned that the transfer of F-16 aircraft was approved in close cooperation with the United States and other partners, once the conditions for such a transfer were met. These include the successful selection and training of Ukrainian F-16 personnel, as well as the necessary authorizations, infrastructure, and logistics.
Rutte avoids making specific commitments
Prior to that, the Ukrainian president secured a commitment from the Netherlands for additional F-16 fighter jets of US origin. The Netherlands did not comment on the timing of the handover or the quantity. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the country currently has 42 aircraft of this type, but only 24 of them are operational.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte, during the meeting with Zelensky at an air force base in Eindhoven, simply expressed hope that the delivery would occur soon. He stated that they would deliver the aircraft “once the conditions for such a transfer are met.” Rutte mentioned the Netherlands’ long-term commitment, saying, “We want them (the F-16s) to be active and operational as soon as possible. Not next month, that is impossible, but hopefully soon thereafter.”
Selenskyj: Decision is historic
Zelensky thanked Rutte for the commitment, stating that the decision was “absolutely historic, powerful, and inspiring for us.” He declared, “Today it becomes concrete. They will be in the Ukrainian sky. Thank you, Netherlands! Thank you, Mark! Thank you to everyone who is helping,” in Eindhoven.
Regarding the number of aircraft, he said after the meeting that he expected 42 planes. It remains unclear whether he was referring to the total number of commitments from both countries or just those from the Netherlands. On the online platform X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote, “42 jets. And this is just the beginning. These planes will be used to keep ‘Russian terrorists’ away from Ukrainian cities and towns.”
USA recently enabled the delivery of the jets
The Ukrainian government has been seeking Western-made combat aircraft for months to combat Russian invasion forces. Zelensky arrived in the Netherlands today after visiting Sweden. He had sought the delivery of the Saab JAS 39 “Gripen,” a model built there.
As the manufacturing country, the United States approved on Friday that the Netherlands and Denmark could provide F-16s to Ukraine. Both countries are also leading the training of Ukrainian pilots, which, according to Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, is set to begin in August. Government representatives estimate that the training will last six to eight months.
Belgium and Norway are also potential suppliers of US jets. Denmark will work to attract more countries to join the coalition, according to the statement from the Ministry of Defense in Copenhagen.